Display device for hybrid vehicle

ABSTRACT

A display device, for a hybrid vehicle for displaying an output relating to traveling of the hybrid vehicle, includes a first region and a second region. The first region indicates the output in a first mode in which an internal combustion engine is stopped and the vehicle travels using an electric motor. The second region indicates the output in a second mode in which the internal combustion engine is operated to travel. The first region includes a third region positioned close to the second region and indicating the output at which the internal combustion engine possibly starts up.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on Japanese Patent Application (No.2017-099040) filed on May 18, 2017 and Japanese Patent Application (No.2017-248789) filed on Dec. 26, 2017, the contents of which areincorporated herein by way of reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a display device for a hybrid vehicleincluding a motor and an engine.

A hybrid vehicle includes a motor and an engine as driving power sourcesfor traveling. The hybrid vehicle includes traveling modes of an EV(Electric Vehicle) mode in which driving wheels are driven only by amotor and an HV (Hybrid Vehicle) in which the driving wheels are drivenby a motor and an engine.

An example of related art includes JP-A-2009-143553.

SUMMARY

The invention is to provide a display device for a hybrid vehicle inwhich a traveling state is easy to understand, in particular, thepossibility of starting an engine is easy to grasp.

According to the invention, there is provided a display device for ahybrid vehicle for displaying an output relating to traveling of thehybrid vehicle, including:

a first region indicating the output in a first mode in which aninternal combustion engine is stopped and the vehicle travels using anelectric motor; and

a second region indicating the output in a second mode in which theinternal combustion engine is operated to travel, wherein

the first region includes a third region positioned close to the secondregion and indicating the output at which the internal combustion enginepossibly starts up.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hybrid vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a display device for the hybrid vehicleaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a display device for the hybrid vehicleaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display device for the hybrid vehicleaccording to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display device for the hybrid vehicleaccording to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display device for the hybrid vehicleaccording to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLIFIED EMBODIMENTS

A hybrid vehicle travels in an EV mode at the time of a start and thenan engine is started according to a situation of a vehicle, and travelsin an HV mode. In such a hybrid vehicle, a display device indicates to adriver whether the vehicle travels in the EV mode or in the HV mode. Inthe above-described JP-A-2009-143553, for example, two pointers areused, one pointer 2 indicates a current rotation speed, and the otherdrag pointer 5 indicates an arcuate region 6 where it is possible totravel in the EV mode. In a case where the pointer 2 is within a rangeof the arcuate region 6, the case indicates that the vehicle travels inthe EV mode to the driver, and in a case where the pointer 2 is out ofthe range of the arcuate region 6, the case indicates that the vehicletravels in the HV mode to the driver. A position of the drag pointer 5indicates a point of an engine start to the driver.

However, the above-described drag pointer 5 changes according to asituation of the vehicle, and a pointer moves regardless of a drivingoperation of the driver in some cases. For example, the drag pointer 5depends on a maximum output of a drive battery. The maximum outputincreases in a case where a charge is performed by regeneration or thelike and is reduced according to an elapsed time in a case where adischarge state continues. Due to the change of the maximum output,regardless of the driving operation of the driver, it is difficult tograsp a position of the pointer 5 or a positional relationship betweenthe pointer 2 and the arcuate region 6 that indicates the point of theengine start. Therefore, it is difficult to determine a traveling state,that is, whether the vehicle travels in the EV mode or in the HV mode.

In the hybrid vehicle, for an environment, an economy, or the like, thedriver tries to travel in the EV mode. However, as described above, in acase where the drag pointer 5 moves regardless of the driving operationof the driver, the engine starts at a timing unexpected by the driverand a mode is shifted to the HV mode. Therefore, a driving intended bythe driver is difficult. Thus, a display device that enables the driverto easily understand the traveling state, in particular, a possibilityof the engine start is demanded.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the aboveproblems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a displaydevice for a hybrid vehicle that enables a driver to easily understand atraveling state, in particular, a possibility of starting an engine.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a display device for a hybrid vehicleaccording to the present invention will be described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 6. Here, the hybrid vehicle will be exemplified, but aplug-in hybrid vehicle in which a drive battery may be charged with acommercial power source from an outside may be used.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the hybrid vehicle. FIG. 2 is adiagram illustrating a display device for a hybrid vehicle of thepresent embodiment.

In the present embodiment, the hybrid vehicle (hereinafter, referred toas a vehicle) 10 includes a motor 11 (electric motor) and an engine 12(internal combustion engine) as a driving power source for traveling.The motor 11 may be configured to drive a front wheel or a rear wheel,or a plurality of motors 11 may be provided so that the plurality ofmotors 11 drive the front wheel and the rear wheel, respectively. Theengine 12 may also be configured to drive the front wheel or the rearwheel, or may be configured to drive the front wheel and the rear wheel.The vehicle 10 may include a generator (not illustrated) that is drivenby the engine 12 and generates electricity.

As a traveling mode of the vehicle, the vehicle 10 has a first mode inwhich the engine is stopped and a driving wheel is driven using themotor 11 and a second mode in which the engine 12 is operated and thedriving wheel is driven by, for example, the motor 11 and the engine 12.

The vehicle 10 includes an Electronics Control Unit (ECU) 20. The ECU 20includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Random Access Memory (RAM),a Read Only Memory (ROM), an input/output circuit, and the like.

A signal value from the motor 11 or a signal value from the engine 12 isinput to the ECU 20. The signal value from the motor 11 includes a motorrotation speed, a motor output, and the like. The signal from the engine12 includes ON/OFF, an engine rotation speed, an engine output, and thelike. A signal value from a drive battery 13 that supplies electricpower to the motor 11, a signal value from a vehicle speed sensor 14that detects a vehicle speed, a signal value from an accelerator openingdegree sensor 15 that detects an accelerator opening degree, and thelike are also input to the ECU 20. The signal value from the battery 13includes a State Of Charge (SOC), a battery output, and the like. TheECU 20 performs a calculation process based on the input signal values,and a calculation value obtained by the calculation process is input tothe display device 30A.

The display device 30A is a pointer type meter that displays an output(hereinafter referred to as a traveling output) related to a travelingof the vehicle 10 in the first mode and the second mode described above,and is a so-called meter. As the display device 30, a mechanical analogmeter, a digital meter including a liquid crystal panel and the like, orthe like may be used.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the display device 30A includes a circularinstrument panel 35 (display region) in which a first region 31A and asecond region 32A are disposed and a blank region 34A is disposed, andone pointer 36 that is provided so as to be rotatable on the instrumentpanel 35. The first region 31A includes a third region 33A. The pointer36 indicates a position corresponding to the calculation value inputfrom the ECU 20. The traveling output of the vehicle 10 in the firstmode and the second mode is displayed by one needle of the pointer 36.

The first region 31A is an operation region when the engine 12 isstopped and the vehicle travels using the motor 11, that is, anoperation region of the pointer 36 in the first mode. The first region31A is a scale region indicating the traveling output in the first mode.In a case where it is assumed that the position of 12 o'clock (anuppermost position T of the instrument panel 35) is 0°=360° at an outerperiphery on the instrument panel 35, the first region 31A is disposedin a fan shape or an arc shape from about 270° to about 30° (from 9o'clock to 1 o'clock). A region excluding the third region 33A in thefirst region 31A is disposed in a fan shape or an arc shape from about270° to 0° (from 9 o'clock to 12 o'clock). A division line L1 isdisposed at a position of 0° (12 o'clock). The division line L1indicates a limit position at which there is no possibility of thestarting of the engine 12 in the first mode. In the followingdescription, as an expression of an azimuth, either or both of a time ofa clock and an angle at which the position of 12 o'clock is 0° (=360°)is used.

A scale of the region excluding the third region 33A in the first region31A indicates the traveling output in the first mode. The pointer 36indicates a position corresponding to the traveling output in theposition from 9 o'clock to 12 o'clock. For example, as the “travelingoutput in the first mode”, the battery output of the battery 13, thevehicle speed detected by the vehicle speed sensor 14, the acceleratoropening degree detected by the accelerator opening degree sensor 15, themotor rotation speed of the motor, the motor output, and the like may beused.

The traveling output in the first mode described above may be selectedby the driver. For example, a selection switch (not illustrated) may beprovided on the display device 30A and enable the driver to select onetraveling output among the traveling outputs described above byoperating the selection switch.

For example, in a case where the battery output is selected, the batteryoutput of the limit at which it is impossible to start the engine 12 isthe division line L1, and the pointer 36 indicates a position of acurrent battery output. In a case where the vehicle speed is selected,the vehicle speed of a limit at which it is impossible to start theengine 12 is the division line L1, and the pointer 36 indicates aposition of a current vehicle speed. In a case where the acceleratoropening degree is selected, the accelerator opening degree of a limit atwhich it is impossible to start the engine 12 is the division line L1,and the pointer 36 indicates a position of a current accelerator openingdegree. In a case where an output margin of the battery 13 in a secondembodiment which will be described later is selected as an integratedtraveling output, the limit margin where there is no possibility of thestart of the engine 12 is the division line L1, and the pointer 36indicates a position of a current margin.

The third region 33A is an operation region of the pointer 36 when aplurality of conditions for starting the engine 12 are established and apossibility in which the engine 12 is started increases, that is, thereis a possibility of a switch from the first mode to the second mode. Thethird region 33A is the scale region indicating the traveling output,where there is a possibility of the start of the engine 12. The thirdregion 33A is disposed in a fan shape or an arc shape in a position from0° to about 30° (from the position of 12 o'clock, that is, the uppermostposition T to the position of one o'clock) in the outer periphery on theinstrument panel 35. A division line L2 is disposed at a position ofabout 30° (1 o'clock). The division line L2 indicates a position atwhich the engine 12 starts in a case where the pointer passes thedivision line L2. The third region 33A is disposed in a position closeto the second region 32A within the first region 31A. In the presentembodiment, the third region 33A is disposed in a position adjacent tothe blank region 34A in a counterclockwise direction.

A scale of the third region 33A is also a scale indicating the travelingoutput in the first mode. The scale indicates a traveling outputexceeding the traveling output within the range of the region excludingthe third region 33A in the first region 31A, that is the travelingoutput exceeding the division line L1. The pointer 36 indicates theposition corresponding to the traveling output in the position from 12o'clock to 1 o'clock.

In the third region 33A, as described above, there is a possibility ofthe start of the engine 12, however, the traveling output at the time ofthe start varies and has a range according to a situation. For example,a movement of the pointer 36 depends on a maximum output of the drivebattery 13. The maximum output increases in a case where a charge isperformed by regeneration or the like and is reduced according to anelapsed time in a case where a discharge state continues. Due to such achange of the maximum output, the position of the pointer 36 at the timeof the start of the engine 12 may be changed. The third region 33A isprovided with a predetermined width (here, a width of an angle of 30°)in a circumferential direction in order to absorb a range of thetraveling output where there is the possibility of the start of theengine 12. The predetermined width corresponds to the range of thetraveling output where there is the possibility of the start.

The third region 33A is provided as described above, and thus it ispossible to indicate the first mode in which there is the possibility ofthe start of the engine 12 by the third region 33A. That is, the engine12 starts at an arbitrary position in the third region 33A regardless ofa predetermined condition such as the maximum output of the battery. Asa result, it is easy to understand a traveling state of the vehicle 10,the driver can correctly grasp the traveling output, and it is easy torealize an intended driving. The first region 31A including the thirdregion 33A is disposed in a predetermined range and does not changedifferently from the arcuate region 6 disclosed in Patent Document 1.Therefore, it is possible to easily understand the traveling state ofthe vehicle 10.

A plurality of main scales 38A in the circumferential direction and aplurality of sub scales 38B provided between the main scales 38Aadjacent to each other are indicated in the second region 32A. The mainscales 38A are thicker and longer than the sub scales 38B. In addition,the indication of the main scales 38A is not limited in the invention,as long as it is possible to differentiate from the indication of thesub scales 38B. For example, each of the main scales 38A may be a linewhich is longer than the sub scales 38B with the same thickness as thesub scales 38B, or be a line which is thicker than the sub scales 38Bwith the same length as the sub scales 38B. The main scales 38A may havea color different from a color of the sub scales 38B. In the case thatthe main scales 38A have the color different from the color of the subscales 38B, the thickness and the length may be equal to each other orbe different from each other between the main scales 38A and the subscales 38B respectively.

The width in the circumferential direction of the third region 33A isdifferent from a width in a circumferential direction of one span of themain scale 38A in the second region 32A. The width in thecircumferential direction of the third region 33A is wider than thewidth in the circumferential direction of the one span of the main scale38A in the second region 32A. The width in the circumferential directionof the third region 33A is set to a range of 30° or more. In the secondregion 32A, the width in the circumferential direction of the one spanof the main scale 38A is a width between adjacent main scales 38Aindicated by thick and long lines. Here, since a scale (hereinafter,referred to as a scale number) is marked with a number, in a case wherethe description is given using the scale number, for example, the widthis a width between a main scale 38A of a scale number “0” and a mainscale 38A of a scale number “2”. Therefore, it is possible toappropriately secure the range of the possibility of the start of theengine 12 and not to give any discomfort related to the movement of thepointer 36 in a corresponding region to the driver.

A starting point of the third region 33A is disposed at a position of 12o'clock (the uppermost position T of the instrument panel 35) and thethird region 33A is disposed on a right side from the position of 12o'clock. That is, the third region 33A is provided on the same side asthe second region 32A indicating the second mode using 12 o'clock as aboundary. Therefore, on the right side of 12 o'clock, the driver canfeel that the engine 12 is started or operated, and can easily grasp thevehicle state, whereby operability is also improved.

The second region 32A is an operation region of the pointer 36 when theengine 12 is started and the vehicle travels, that is, operation regionof the pointer 36 in the second mode. The second region 32A is a scaleregion indicating the traveling output in the second mode. The secondregion 32A is disposed in a fan shape or an arc shape in a position fromabout 45° to about 130° in the outer periphery on the instrument panel35. As described above, the second region 32A is also disposed in apredetermined range that is determined in advance. The second region 32Aincludes a plurality of main scales 38A (thick and long lines) and aplurality of sub scales 38B (thin and short lines) disposed between themain scales 38A.

A scale of the second region 32A indicates the traveling output in thesecond mode. The pointer 36 indicates a position corresponding to thetraveling output in the position from about 45° to about 130°. Forexample, as the “traveling output in the second mode”, the enginerotation speed, the engine output, or the like of the engine 12 may beused. A traveling output related to the motor 11 may be included, and inthis case, a sum output of the motor output and the engine output, ashaft output of a drive shaft of the vehicle 10, or the like may beused.

The traveling output in the second mode described above may also beselected by the driver. For example, another selection switch (notillustrated) may be provided on the display device 30A and enable thedriver to select one traveling output among the traveling outputsdescribed above by operating the selection switch.

For example, in a case where the engine rotation speed is selected, thepointer 36 indicates a position of a current engine rotation speed. In acase where the engine output is selected, the pointer 36 indicates aposition of a current engine output. In a case where the sum output isselected, the pointer 36 indicates a position of a current sum output.In a case where the shaft output is selected, the pointer 36 indicates aposition of a current shaft output.

The scale of the second region 32A is marked with a scale number. Aposition of about 45° is marked with “0”, the scale number increasesclockwise, and a position of about 130° is marked with “10”. In thefirst region 31A including the third region 33A, the scale number is notmarked. Since the scale number is not marked in the first region 31A,the scale may not be marked. For example, only arc may be displayed inthe first region 31A.

As described above, since the scale number is marked in any one of thefirst region 31A and the second region 32A, the driver can easilyunderstand that the first region 31A and the second region 32A aremeters indicating different traveling outputs. As a result, it ispossible to easily grasp the traveling state of the vehicle 10. Sincethe scale number is marked in the second region 32A, the travelingoutput in the second mode, that is, the traveling output related to theengine output can be checked by a number. Therefore, it is possible topromote awareness of eco driving to the driver.

A starting point (the position of the scale number of “0”) of the secondregion 32A is disposed on the right side from the position of 12o'clock, and the width in the circumferential direction of the secondregion 32A indicating the second mode is set to be seen narrowly thanthe width in the circumferential direction of the first region 31Aincluding the third region 33A, thereby promoting the awareness of theeco driving to the driver.

The blank region 34A is a region provided for clearly distinguishing thefirst region 31A and the second region 32A. The blank region 34A isprovided between the second region 32A and the third region 33A in thefirst region 31A. The blank region 34A is disposed from about 30° toabout 45° that is a range within 45° from the position of 12 o'clock.

As described above, the blank region 34A is disposed, the blank region34A is a divider, and thus the driver can easily understand that rightand left regions (the first region 31A and the second region 32A)divided by the blank region 34A as a boundary indicate differenttraveling outputs. Therefore, it is possible to easily grasp thetraveling state of the vehicle 10.

A width in a circumferential direction of the blank region 34A isdifferent from the width in the circumferential direction of the onespan of the main scale 38A in the second region 32A. The width in thecircumferential direction of the blank region 34A is narrower than thewidth in the circumferential direction of the one span of the main scale38A in the second region 32A. The width in the circumferential directionof the blank region 34A is different from the width in thecircumferential direction of the third region 33A. The width in thecircumferential direction of the blank region 34A is narrower than thewidth in the circumferential direction of the third region 33A.Therefore, it is possible to effectively utilize a space of theinstrument panel 35 and to prevent the blank region 34A from beingerroneously recognized as a part of the second region 32A or the thirdregion 33A.

The division line L1 described above divides the region excluding thethird region 33A and the third region 33A in the first region 31A. Thedivision line L2 and the blank region 34A described above divide thefirst region 31A and the second region 32A and divide the third region33A and the second region 32A. Therefore, the first region 31A and thesecond region 32A are displayed independently from each other. Forclearer division, colors for displaying the region excluding the thirdregion 33A in the first region 31A, the third region 33A, and the secondregion 32A may be different from each other. For example, in a casewhere the region excluding the third region 33A in the first region 31Ais set to green, the third region 33A is set to yellow, and the secondregion 32A is set to red, it is possible to promote the awareness of theeco driving to the driver.

Each of the first region 31A and the second region 32A is disposed in afan shape or an arc shape in a predetermined range. That is, the firstregion 31A and the second region 32A are disposed in a similar fan shapeor arc shape in a predetermined range and are also in a fan shape or anarc shape as a whole.

The movement of the pointer 36 according to the driving operation of thevehicle 10 will be described with respect to the display device 30Ahaving the configuration described above.

In a case where the driver starts the vehicle 10, the vehicle 10 firststarts the traveling in the first mode. During the traveling output inwhich the engine 12 is not started, the pointer 36 shifts in the rangeof the region excluding the third region 33A in the first region 31Aaccording to the traveling output in the first mode.

In a case where the traveling output in the first mode is the travelingoutput exceeding the division line L1, the pointer 36 shifts in therange of the third region 33A according to the traveling output in thefirst mode until the engine 12 starts. In a case where the travelingoutput in the first output exceeds, for example, the maximum output ofthe battery 13, the engine 12 is started.

In a case where the engine 12 is started, the pointer 36 rapidly movesfrom the third region 33A to the second region 32A, and shifts withinthe range of the second region 32A according to the traveling output inthe second mode. At this time, the pointer 36 may move to the positionof the scale number of “0” that is the starting point of the secondregion 32A, may stop, and then may move to the position corresponding tothe traveling output in the second mode. Therefore, it is possible toindicate that the mode is shifted from the first mode to the secondmode, that is, the engine 12 is started, to the driver. Then, thepointer 36 shifts within the range of the second region 32A until theengine 12 stops.

As described above, the display device 30A can indicate the first modewhen the engine 12 is not be started in the first region 31A (inparticular, the region excluding the third region 33A), and it ispossible to clearly indicate that the vehicle may travel in the firstmode to the driver. Therefore, the driver can continue the traveling inthe first mode with an easy mind.

Since a request output when there is the possibility of the start of theengine 12 is indicated in the third region 33A, it is possible toclearly indicate a range in which there is the possibility of the startof the engine 12 to the driver. In the related art, since a display of atiming at which the engine is started is a pinpoint and is changed, theengine may be started even though the driver does not intend to startthe engine in some cases. On the other hand, in the present embodiment,since the third region 33A is indicated as the range in which there isthe possibility of the start of the engine 12, the driver can grasp thepositional relationship between the third region 33A and the pointer 36and perform an operation of the vehicle 10. For example, in a case wherethe driver does not desire to start the engine 12, an operation may beperformed by operating the accelerator opening degree or the like sothat the pointer 36 returns to the range of the region excluding thethird region 33A in the first region 31A.

In a case where the engine 12 is started, since the pointer 36 movesfrom the third region 33A to the second region 32A, the driver canrecognize that the engine 12 is operated.

With the display device 30A of such a configuration, it is easy tounderstand the traveling state of the vehicle, the driver can correctlygrasp the traveling state, and an intended driving becomes easy.

Second Embodiment

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a display device for a hybrid vehicle.

A display device 30B of the present embodiment is also a instrument(meter) for displaying a traveling output of a hybrid vehicle in a firstmode and a second mode and is applicable to the vehicle 10 illustratedin FIG. 1 instead of the display device 30A described in the firstembodiment. A configuration of the vehicle 10 is as described in thefirst embodiment, and the description thereof will not be presented.

The display device 30B also includes an instrument panel 35, on which afirst region 31B and a second region 32B are disposed and a blank region34B is disposed, and one pointer 36. The first region 31B includes athird region 33B. Since the instrument panel 35 and the pointer 36 maybe the same as those described in the first embodiment, the samereference numerals are given here and the duplicated description willnot be presented.

In the present embodiment, the first region 31B, the second region 32B,the third region 33B, and the blank region 34B in the display device 30Bhave the same configuration as the first region 31A, the second region32A, the third region 33A, and the blank region 34A in the displaydevice 30A of the first embodiment except for the difference inarrangement position of scale numbers.

Therefore, unless otherwise particularly specified in the presentembodiment, it is interpreted that the first region 31B, the secondregion 32B, the third region 33B, and the blank region 34B in thedisplay device 30B perform respectively the same functions and effectsas the first region 31A, the second region 32A, the third region 33A,and the blank region 34A in the display device 30A of the firstembodiment. In the following description, therefore, the duplicateddescription will not be presented and differences from the firstembodiment will be described.

In the present embodiment, scales of the first region 31B including thethird region 33B are marked with scale numbers, a position of 9 o'clock(about 270°) is marked with “100”, and a position of one o'clock (about30°) is marked with “0” as the scale numbers becomes small in theclockwise direction. In the present embodiment, an output margin of thebattery 13 is used as the “traveling output in the first mode”, and theunit of the scale numbers is in %. Such a margin may be calculated by anECU 20 based on an SOC of the battery 13, a vehicle speed detected by avehicle speed sensor 14, an accelerator opening degree detected by anaccelerator opening degree sensor 15, a rotation speed of a motor 11,and a motor output. Here, a division line L2 indicates a position of themargin of 0% where the engine 12 is necessarily started. A division lineL1 indicates a position of a limit margin (for example, 25%) where thereis no possibility of the start of the engine 12.

In the present embodiment, the scales of the first region 31B are markedwith the scale numbers as described above, but scales of the secondregion 32B are not marked with scale numbers. Since the second region32B is not marked with the scale numbers, the scales may not be marked,for example, may be displayed in an arc shape.

As described above, since either of the first region 31B or the secondregion 32B is marked with the scale numbers, the driver can easilyunderstand that the meter indicates different traveling outputs fromfirst region 31B and the second region 32B.

Third Embodiment

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a display device for a hybrid vehicle.

A display device 30C of the present embodiment is also a instrument(meter) for displaying a traveling output of a hybrid vehicle in a firstmode and a second mode and is applicable to the vehicle 10 illustratedin FIG. 1 instead of the display device 30A described in the firstembodiment. A configuration of the vehicle 10 is as described in thefirst embodiment, and the description thereof will not be presented.

The display device 30C also includes an instrument panel 35, on which afirst region 31C and a second region 32C are disposed and a blank region34C is disposed, and one pointer 36. The first region 31C includes athird region 33C. Since the instrument panel 35 and the pointer 36 maybe the same as those described in the first embodiment, the samereference numerals are given here and the duplicated description willnot be presented.

In the present embodiment, the first region 31C, the second region 32C,the third region 33C, and the blank region 34C in the display device 30Chave the same configuration as the first region 31A, the second region32A, the third region 33A, and the blank region 34A in the displaydevice 30A of the first embodiment except for the difference inarrangement range.

Therefore, unless otherwise particularly specified in the presentembodiment, it is interpreted that the first region 31C, the secondregion 32C, the third region 33C, and the blank region 34C in thedisplay device 30C perform respectively the same functions and effectsas the first region 31A, the second region 32A, the third region 33A,and the blank region 34A in the display device 30A of the firstembodiment. In the following description, therefore, the duplicateddescription will not be presented and differences from the firstembodiment will be described.

The first region 31C has the same configuration as the first region 31Ain the first embodiment except for the difference in arrangement range.Here, the first region 31C is disposed from about 240° to 0° (from 8o'clock to 12 o'clock) at an outer periphery on the instrument panel 35.A region excluding the third region 33C in the first region 31C isdisposed from about 240° to about 330°. In addition, a division line L1is disposed at a position of about 330° (11 o'clock).

The third region 33C also has the same configuration as the third region33A in the first embodiment except for the difference in arrangementrange. Here, the third region 33C is disposed from about 330° to 0°(from 11 o'clock to 12 o'clock) at the outer periphery on the instrumentpanel 35. In addition, a division line L2 is disposed at a position of0° (12 o'clock).

The second region 32C also has the same configuration as the secondregion 32A in the first embodiment except for the difference inarrangement range. Here, the second region 32C is disposed from about30° to about 130° at the outer periphery on the instrument panel 35.

As described above, the third region 33C is disposed on the left sidefrom the position of 12 o'clock. The first region 31C indicating thefirst mode includes the third region 33C, and is disposed on the leftside from the position of 12 o'clock. On the other hand, the secondregion 32C indicating the second mode is disposed on the right side fromthe position of 12 o'clock. For this reason, on the right side from theposition of 12 o'clock, the driver can feel that the engine 12 is fullyoperating.

The blank region 34C also has the same configuration as the secondregion 34A in the first embodiment except for the difference inarrangement range. Here, the blank region 34C is disposed from about 0°to about 30° (from 12 o'clock to one o'clock).

In the present embodiment, a width in a circumferential direction of theblank region 34C is equal to a width in the circumferential direction ofthe third region 33C. The width in the circumferential direction of theblank region 34C is different from a width in the circumferentialdirection of one span of a main scale in the second region 32C. Thewidth in the circumferential direction of the blank region 34C is widerthan the width in the circumferential direction of one span of the mainscale in the second region 32C. Thus, it is possible to effectivelyutilize a space of the instrument panel 35 and to prevent the blankregion 34C from being erroneously recognized as a part of the secondregion 32C, and it is possible to clearly distinguish between the firstregion 31C and the second region 32C.

In the present embodiment, as in the second embodiment (see the displaydevice 30B illustrated in FIG. 3), the first region 31C including thethird region 33C may also be marked with scale numbers instead of thescale numbers of the second region 32C. For example, similarly to thedisplay device 30B, when being marked with the margin (%), the positionof the division line L2 is marked with “0” and the starting position(position of about 240°) of the first region 31C is marked with “100”.Further, the region not marked with the scale numbers may not be markedwith scales, for example, may be displayed in an arc shape.

Fourth Embodiment

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a display device for a hybrid vehicle.

A display device 30D of the present embodiment is also a instrument(meter) for displaying a traveling output of a hybrid vehicle in a firstmode and a second mode and is applicable to the vehicle 10 illustratedin FIG. 1 instead of the display device 30A described in the firstembodiment. A configuration of the vehicle 10 is as described in thefirst embodiment, and the description thereof will not be presented.

The display device 30D also includes an instrument panel 35, on which afirst region 31D and a second region 32D are disposed and a blank region34D is disposed, and one pointer 36. The first region 31D includes athird region 33D. Since the instrument panel 35 and the pointer 36 maybe the same as those described in the first embodiment, the samereference numerals are given here and the duplicated description willnot be presented.

In the present embodiment, the first region 31D, the second region 32D,the third region 33D, and the blank region 34D in the display device 30Dhave the same configuration as the first region 31A, the second region32A, the third region 33A, and the blank region 34A in the displaydevice 30A of the first embodiment except for the difference inarrangement range.

Therefore, unless otherwise particularly specified in the presentembodiment, it is interpreted that the first region 31D, the secondregion 32D, the third region 33D, and the blank region 34D in thedisplay device 30D perform respectively the same functions and effectsas the first region 31A, the second region 32A, the third region 33A,and the blank region 34A in the display device 30A of the firstembodiment. In the following description, therefore, the duplicateddescription will not be presented and differences from the firstembodiment will be described.

The first region 31D has the same configuration as the first region 31Ain the first embodiment except for the difference in arrangement range.Here, the first region 31D is disposed from about 240° to about 330°(from 8 o'clock to 11 o'clock) at an outer periphery on the instrumentpanel 35. A region excluding the third region 33D in the first region31D is disposed from about 240° to about 300°. In addition, a divisionline L1 is disposed at a position of about 300° (10 o'clock).

The third region 33D also has the same configuration as the third region33A in the first embodiment except for the difference in arrangementrange. Here, the third region 33D is disposed from about 300° to about330° (from 10 o'clock to 11 o'clock) at the outer periphery on theinstrument panel 35. In addition, a division line L2 is disposed at aposition of about 330° (11 o'clock).

The second region 32D also has the same configuration as the secondregion 32A in the first embodiment except for the difference inarrangement range. Here, the second region 32D is disposed from 0° toabout 130° at the outer periphery on the instrument panel 35. Theposition of 12 o'clock (uppermost position T) is marked with the scalenumber of “0”, which is a starting point of the second region 32D. Awidth in a circumferential direction of the second region 32D is widerthan a width in the circumferential direction of the first region 31Dincluding the third region 33D.

As described above, the third region 33D is disposed on the left sidefrom the position of 12 o'clock. The first region 31D indicating thefirst mode includes the third region 33D, and is disposed on the leftside from the position of 12 o'clock. On the other hand, the secondregion 32D indicating the second mode is disposed on the right side fromthe position of 12 o'clock. For this reason, on the right side from theposition of 12 o'clock, the driver can feel that the engine 12 isoperating.

The blank region 34D also has the same configuration as the secondregion 34A in the first embodiment except for the difference inarrangement range. Here, the blank region 34D is disposed from about330° to 0° (from 11 o'clock to 12 o'clock).

In the present embodiment, a width in a circumferential direction of theblank region 34D is equal to a width in the circumferential direction ofthe third region 33D, but is different from, for example, narrower thana width in the circumferential direction of one span of a main scale inthe second region 32D. Thus, it is possible to effectively utilize aspace of the instrument panel 35.

In the present embodiment, as in the second embodiment (see the displaydevice 30B illustrated in FIG. 3), the first region 31D including thethird region 33D may also be marked with scale numbers instead of thescale numbers of the second region 32D. For example, similarly to thedisplay device 30B, when being marked with the margin (%), the positionof the division line L2 is marked with “0” and the starting position(position of about 240°) of the first region 31D is marked with “100”.Further, the region not marked with the scale numbers may not be markedwith scales, for example, may be displayed in an arc shape.

Fifth Embodiment

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a display device for a hybrid vehicle.

A display device 30E of the present embodiment is also a instrument(meter) for displaying a traveling output of a hybrid vehicle in a firstmode and a second mode and is applicable to the vehicle 10 illustratedin FIG. 1 instead of the display device 30A described in the firstembodiment. A configuration of the vehicle 10 is as described in thefirst embodiment, and the description thereof will not be presented.

The display device 30E also includes an instrument panel 35, on which afirst region 31E and a second region 32E are disposed and a fourthregion 34E is disposed, and one pointer 36. The first region 31Eincludes a third region 33E. Since the instrument panel 35 and thepointer 36 may be the same as those described in the first embodiment,the same reference numerals are given here and the duplicateddescription will not be presented.

In the present embodiment, the first region 31E, the second region 32E,and the third region 33E in the display device 30E have the sameconfiguration as the first region 31A, the second region 32A, and thethird region 33A in the display device 30A of the first embodimentexcept for the difference in arrangement range. On the other hand, thefourth region 34E is provided in the present embodiment instead of theblank region 34A in the display device 30A of the first embodiment.

Therefore, unless otherwise particularly specified in the presentembodiment, it is interpreted that the first region 31E, the secondregion 32E, and the third region 33E in the display device 30E performrespectively the same functions and effects as the first region 31A, thesecond region 32A, and the third region 33A in the display device 30A ofthe first embodiment. In the following description, therefore, theduplicated description will not be presented and differences from thefirst embodiment will be described.

The first region 31E has the same configuration as the first region 31Ain the first embodiment except for the difference in arrangement range.Here, the first region 31E is disposed from about 240° to about 330°(from 8 o'clock to 11 o'clock) at an outer periphery on the instrumentpanel 35. A region excluding the third region 33E in the first region31E is disposed from about 240° to about 300°. In addition, a divisionline L1 is disposed at a position of about 300° (10 o'clock).

The third region 33E also has the same configuration as the third region33A in the first embodiment except for the difference in arrangementrange. Here, the third region 33E is disposed from about 300° to about330° (from 10 o'clock to 11 o'clock) at the outer periphery on theinstrument panel 35. A scale of the fourth region 34E is provided so asto be continuous with the scale of the third region 33E, and thedivision line L2 of the first embodiment is not marked between the thirdregion and the fourth region. If the division line L2 is marked, it maybe marked at a position of about 330° (11 o'clock).

The second region 32E also has the same configuration as the secondregion 32A in the first embodiment except for the difference inarrangement range. Here, the second region 32E is disposed from 0° to130° at the outer periphery on the instrument panel 35. The position of12 o'clock (uppermost position T) is also marked with the scale numberof “0”, which is a starting point of the second region 32E. A width in acircumferential direction of the second region 32E is wider than a widthin the circumferential direction of the first region 31E including thethird region 33E.

As described above, the third region 33E is disposed on the left sidefrom the position of 12 o'clock (uppermost position). The first region31E indicating the first mode includes the third region 33E, and isdisposed on the left side from the position of 12 o'clock. On the otherhand, the second region 32E indicating the second mode is disposed onthe right side from the position of 12 o'clock (uppermost position). Forthis reason, on the right side from the position of 12 o'clock, thedriver can feel that the engine 12 is operating.

In the present embodiment, the fourth region 34E is provided instead ofthe blank region 34A described above. The fourth region 34E is disposedfrom about 330° to 0° (from 11 o'clock to 12 o'clock) which is a rangewithin 45° from the position of 12 o'clock. Further, the scale of thefourth region 34E is marked so as to be continuous with the scales ofthe third region 33E and the second region 32E. The fourth region 34Edoes not have a function of dividing as in the blank region 34Adescribed above, but is similar to the above-described blank region 34Afrom the viewpoint that the pointer 36 rapidly moves from the thirdregion 33E to the second region 32E when the engine 12 is started.

In the present embodiment, a width in a circumferential direction of thefourth region 34E is different from a width in the circumferentialdirection of one span of a main scale in the second region 32E. Thewidth in the circumferential direction of the fourth region 34E isnarrower than the width in the circumferential direction of one span ofa main scale in the second region 32E. The width in the circumferentialdirection of the fourth region 34E is equal to a width in thecircumferential direction of the third region 33E. Thus, it is possibleto effectively utilize a space of the instrument panel 35.

In the present embodiment, as in the second embodiment (see the displaydevice 30B illustrated in FIG. 3), the first region 31E including thethird region 33E may also be marked with scale numbers instead of thescale numbers of the second region 32E. For example, similarly to thedisplay device 30B, when being marked with the margin (%), the endingposition of the third region 33E (position of about) 330° is marked with“0” and the starting position (position of about 240°) of the firstregion 31E is marked with “100”. Further, the region not marked with thescale numbers may not be marked with scales. For example, the firstregion 31E may be displayed only in an arc shape.

[Modification]

In the first to fifth embodiments, the second mode is defined as a modein which the engine 12 is operated and the driving wheel is driven by,for example, the motor 11 and the engine 12, but is not limited thereto.That is, the second mode may be either a traveling mode in which theengine 12 is driven and used as a power supply source of the motor 11 ora traveling mode in which each wheel of the vehicle 10 is driven by thedriving force of only the engine 12.

In the first to fifth embodiments, the plurality of regions are disposedin the fan shape or the arc shape on the circular instrument panel 35,but are not limited to such a shape as long as the plurality of regionscan be marked. For example, the plurality of regions may be disposed ina rectangular shape on a rectangular instrument panel.

Further, the first region, the second region, the third region, theblank region, and the fourth region in the first to fifth embodimentsmay be disposed symmetrically with respect to the arrangementillustrated in FIGS. 2 to 6 based on a virtual line connecting theuppermost position T of the display region (instrument panel 35) and thecenter point of the display region (instrument panel 35).

In the first to fifth embodiments, a regenerative display may beprovided adjacent to the first region.

According to the present invention, the display device for the hybridvehicle includes the first region indicating the first mode in which thetraveling is performed using the electric motor by the stop of theinternal combustion engine and the second region indicating the secondmode in which the traveling is performed by the start of the internalcombustion engine, and the first region includes the third regiondisposed close to the second region and indicating the output capable ofstarting the internal combustion engine, whereby it is possible todisplay the output at the time of starting the internal combustionengine within the third region. Thus, the first region other than thethird region can be clearly indicated as a region where the internalcombustion engine is not started and the second region can be clearlyindicated as a region where the internal combustion engine is operating.As a result, the traveling state of the vehicle becomes easy tounderstand, that is, the degree of the possibility of starting theengine becomes easy to understand, so that the driver can easily performthe intended driving.

The present invention is suitable as a display device for a hybridvehicle including a motor and an engine.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display device for a hybrid vehicle fordisplaying an output relating to traveling of the hybrid vehicle,comprising: a first region indicating the output in a first mode inwhich an internal combustion engine is stopped and the vehicle travelsusing an electric motor; and a second region indicating the output in asecond mode in which the internal combustion engine is operated totravel, wherein the first region includes a third region positionedclose to the second region and divided as a fixed region indicating theoutput at which the internal combustion engine possibly starts up. 2.The display device according to claim 1, wherein the third region has apredetermined width, and the predetermined width corresponds to a rangeof the output at which the internal combustion engine possibly startsup.
 3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein a blank regionis provided between the second region and the third region.
 4. Thedisplay device according to claim 1, further comprising: a pointer thatdisplays the output, wherein the pointer moves from the third region tothe second region when the internal combustion engine is started.
 5. Thedisplay device according to claim 4, wherein the pointer temporarilystops after moving from the third region to a starting point of thesecond region when the internal combustion engine is started, and thendisplays the output in the second mode in the second region.
 6. Thedisplay device according to claim 1, wherein the second region includesa plurality of main scales and a plurality of sub scales, the sub scalesare provided between the main scales adjacent to each other, and have adisplaying configuration different from a displaying configuration ofthe main scales, and the width of the third region is wider than a widthof one span of the main scale in the second region.
 7. The displaydevice according to claim 6, wherein the displaying configuration is atleast one of a thickness of line, a length of line and a color.
 8. Thedisplay device according to claim 1, wherein a display region includingthe first region and the second region has a circular shape, the firstregion and the second region are disposed in a fan shape or an arcshape, and the third region included in the first region is disposed onthe same side as the second region with an uppermost position of thedisplay region as a boundary.
 9. The display device according to claim8, wherein a starting point of the third region is the uppermostposition of the display region.
 10. The display device according toclaim 8, wherein a width in a circumferential direction of the secondregion is narrower than a width in the circumferential direction of thefirst region.